Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-11-23

Il -
old time an lots o. fun. tell We. You
half promised to go. an there's one
time yer missed it in not keopin' yer
word. sure"
Hush Dick" said Howard in an
undertone. Il wish you wouldn',
speak Of my smoking right here on tn G
street. should loose my position Il
Jones should find it out You prom
ised me to keep quiet when you fooled
me into il. wished ! had never
touched cigar. And I never would
II had known about getting this
place at the store"
what business o. their'n, I'd like
ter know" said Dick contemptuously.
I'd be nobody's slave. can tell We that.
I'd be independent bout my own af-
fairs if I had to paddle in that gutter
for Twin. So long as you don't
smoke under their nose it's just none
of their business.
"Well, don't know about that"
said Howard slowly. "They have their
rules. and so long as am in their EN-.
|
seem to do so at least"
Don't they keep cigars to sellp"
asked Dick.
Yes"
"Wcll, what's the difference, I'd like
ter know; amt it as bad to sell thing
as ter use it yerselfp"
What / wish is that l had your
chance an the han'lin' O. them
cigars" he continued. with furtive
glance at Howard. "But you've sech
squeamish notions as jest spiles you fer
chum. You'll be splendid Teller
when you git over them"
Here they parted. and Howard en-
tered the store where he was en-
ployed.
Through tho influence of d lex and
one or two of his companions Howard
had learned to smoke about two
months previous. He had now got so
rs to enjoy his cigar, but he would
gladly have quit it if it had not been
for the continued influence of these as
sociates.
The country village in which the
store of Jones & Co. stood did not
have those safeguards against fire and
burglary which are found in larger
towns. This store had barely escaped
terrible fire, and burglars had az
tempted several times to enter it.
To guard against these, small
room at the rear Of the store had been
fitted up for slecping-room, to be oc-
cupied by one of their most trust
worthy clerks. This room had sys-
tenn of alarm bells SO connected with
the front of the store that no one
conld enter at night without arousing
its occupant. 1t was also connected
by telephone with the rooms of each
proprie; or. so that immediate notice
could be given of any disturbance.
About six months after the opening
of our story the clerk who had occu-
pied this room for several years was
taken sick. and some one must take
his place.
After some hesitation on account of
his youth. it was decided to let Howard
Bent fill his place. In doing this the
proprietors spoke with him of its re-
sponsibility, and Of the confidence they
placed in him. They took this occa-
sion to raise his wages to we'll repay
him for extra efforts in faithfully car
rying out their wishes.
Howard was highly elated as he
took this news to his mother, and she
was fairly overjoyed at the success her
boy was achieving. She felt that, i'm
deed, her hopes were to be realized.
and that she would have but short
time to wait for their fulfillmcnt.
About this time Howard was Begin
ming to feel more than ever the annoy
ing influences of Dick Bray and his
companions. His success made them
all the more eager to hold him among
their numbers.
THAT young Bent is feelin' too big
of late to 'socate with us fellers,"
Dick said one evening to his chums.
But I'll bring him ter time, see 4 ]
don't. I'll blow on him re don't
look out know enough bout him
to send him a-kitin' from that store any
day o. the week"
"But then" he continued, II don't
know as care for him ter leave the
store; I've got use for him there. If
he'll only be little more social. But
I'll scare him n little all the same"
1t was not long before he limited
such threats TO Howard, and saw that
he had strong power over him. He
now began to visit the store often, and
annoyed the young clerk great deal
by the familiarity shown there under
the eyes Of his employers. On several
occasions Howard limited quite plainly
that these visits were unwelcome, but
to no purpose. He then resorted to
plans, and even to compromises-which
he would not for the world have had
known to his mother or employers.
In spite of himself he could not hel Up
enjoying Dicks society when they
were by themselves He was fascinat-
cd by rccklcssncss of speech and ac-
ton of which he could by no means
approve. w hen away from this in
fuence he often wished that he might
never see Dick Bray again. But he
h ad not the courage to shake him of.
He was afraid of him-afraid Of the
threats he had made. So. instead of
taking the one manly, open course. he
drifted on, getting more and moro into
Dicks power
One evening Mr.. Jones had been
away, and on his return had occasion
to pass the store some two hours after
closing time. To shorten the distance
he went through an alley leading past